Device for holding spring-actuated curtains.



No. 758,918. PATENTED MAY 3, 1904.

F. B. HOPEWBLL.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING SPRING AOTUATED CURTAINS.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.23, 1902. N0 MODEL.

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n 10. INOYOJ no, WASNINGYON D r UNITED STATES Patented May 3, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING SPRlNG-ACTUATED CURTAINS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 758,918, dated May 3, 1904.

Application filed October 23, 1902.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK B. HorEweLL, a citizen of the United States. residing at Cambridge, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in De vices for Holding Spring-Actuated Curtains, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to an improvement in devices for holding spring-actuated curtains at different points of adjustment; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and defined by the several claims.

This invention involves as one feature a fixture with heads, preferably elongated, which are held by means of springs in frictional contact with the side walls of the grooves in the window-casing, thus obviating the difliculties which are attendant upon the use of fixtures where the heads are held in frictional contact with the bottoms of the grooves in the window-casing.

Another feature of the invention consists in the employment of means, such as frictionrolls, upon the heads, whereby the accidental removal of the fixture from the grooves of the window-casing is prevented.

Another feature of the invention consists in the novel construction of means for releasing the friction of the heads against the windowcasing, whereby the curtain may be moved upward or downward and which is readily and naturally grasped by the operator.

Further features of the invention consist in the general arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter specified.

The drawings illustrate different embodiments of the features of the invention; but it is obvious that some of the features of the invention may be used in connection with other forms of apparatus and that changes may be made in the forms illustrated without avoiding the spirit of the invention.

Figure 1 is a front view of a window-casing with the curtain and fixtures in place. Fig. 2 illustrates, partly in vertical section, one

head and a portion of the curtain-rod with its Serial No. 128,408. \No model.)

inclosed parts. Fig. 3 illustrates, partly in hori* zontal cross-section, one form of the means for releasing the friction between the heads and the side walls of the grooves of the window-casing. Fig. A illustrates, partly in horizontal cross-section, another form of said means and also in horizontal cross-section the parts illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 illustrates, partly in horizontal cross-section, a form of the curtain-rod with the head where no positive means is employed for releasing the friction between the head and the side wall. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line a w of Fig. 3.

In Fig. 1 the outlines of the window-casing are shown with the walls B, wherein are formed the grooves in which the heads of the curtainfixture slide. The grooves are shown in crosssection in Fig. 4. A represents a curtain, and C a spring-actuated curtain-roll of ordinary type. 1.) represents the curtain-rod, E the elongated heads, and F the handhold. The heads E are preferably elongated, as shown, and provided with a screw-threaded portion 0, fitting the interior of the end of the curtainrod. The screw-threaded portion is of such length as to provide for a considerable adjustment of the length of the curtain-rod to adapt the shade to windows of varying width, it not being necessary that the heads be screwed into the curtain-rod its entire length, and the rod G, hereinafter referred to, being readily cut off to make the adjustment. The head E is provided with a portion E, pivoted at 0 the upper and lower ends of this pivoted side wall being indicated at a, Fig. 2, in dotted lines and constituting practically one entire side wall of the head, and it is also provided with antifriction rolls or studs E at each end, as shown, the said rolls having their peripheral surfaces projecting slightly beyond the surface of the head nearest the bottom of the groove in the window-casing. A lug or projection c is formed on the pivoted portion E and cooperates with the rod G, as hereinafter described. The rod Gr, located interiorly of the hollow curtain-rod D, is preferablyformed in two parts and is acted upon by springs H, whereby it is projected against and held in contact with the lug 1/ and thus operates to press and maintain the pivoted wall E of the head and the fixed wall of the head in frictional contact with the side walls of the grooves in the window-casing. The rod G is acted upon in the opposite direction by the means shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, whereby it may be retracted, thus releasing the pressure upon the lug 6 and consequently the friction between the walls of the head and the walls of the grooves in the windowcasing,

In Figs. 2, 3, and L the rod G is shown as polyonal throughout a portion of its length and having cylindrical portions of two dilferent diameters throughout the remaining portion of its length. The polygonal portion of the rod passes through a corresponding pol y g onal opening in a washer g rigidly attached, as by screws, to the curtain-rod D, whereby rotation of the rod G is prevented. A washer g is slipped over the end of the rod and onto the larger cylindrical portion, being held thereon'in place by check-nut g A spring H is placed between the fixed washer 'g* and the washer g on the rod G and acts to throw the rod G outwardly against the lug e -By moving the Washer g along the rod and adjusting the check-nut g accordingly the tension of the spring H may be varied as desired. I

The means for retracting the rods G is shown in two forms in Figs. 3 and 4:, the one in Fig. 4 being the preferable form, of which Fig.- 3 is simply a duplication as to certain parts.

The rods G are provided with the end pieces m, fitting over the polygonal ends of the rods G and attached thereto by pins or screws m, whereby rotation of the end pieces m is prevented. The end pieces are constructed as shown and preferably provided with the antifriction-rolls m The handhold O is preferably of semicylindrical form and placed on that side of the curtain and rod toward the interior of the car or room. It is mounted by means of a projection O passing through a hole 0 in'the curtain-rod, so as to slide back and forth therein, and is provided with two interior projections 0 having inclined faces cooperating with the rolls of on the end pieces of the rods G. The operation is obvious. When the handhold O is pressed inwardly,-the inclines on the projections O operate to' retract the rods G, and when the hand is withdrawn from the handhold O the springs H serve to throw it out again into position. If desired, an additional spring, as 0 surrounding a post over which the projection 0 may slide, may be added to insure the movement of the handhold.

In Fig. 3 the handhold O is duplicated at O otherwise the construction is substantially the same. In this form the hand of the operator grasps both handholds and upon compressing them the rods Gr are retracted. This form is more symmetrical than the form illustratedin Fig. 4, but it is a duplication of the sary to guide the movement of the handhold.

In Fig. 5 is illustrated a simpler form of the invention which may be used under many conditions with entire satisfaction. In this form the handholds and means for positively retracting the rods G are dispensed with. The rods (designated by G in this figure) are mounted to slide in washers g and have attached at or near their ends washers 1', against which a single long spring H presses. In this form of the invention the spring H serves to press the rods E against the projections 6 When it is desired to adjust the curtain, it is only necessary to press the curtain-rod bodily away from the operator, thus pressing the walls E of the heads inwardly and allowing the curtain to be raised and lowered. The fixtures shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are also capable of this manner of operation, as is evident.

From the constructions thus described in detail it will be seen that a curtain-fixture has been provided simple in construction, certain The heads of this invention are mounted loosely in the grooves of the window-casing, and the ant1fr1ct1on-rolls E are mounted so as not to be in engagement with the end walls of the grooves in the window-casing unless the curtain-fixture is tipped at an angle to the horizontal, when they act against the end walls of the grooves, reducing friction and preventing binding and preventing the withdrawal of the heads entirely from the grooves. Herein with respect to the grooves in the windowcasing the term side walls is applied to the walls parallel with the curtain or window, and the term end walls'is applied to the walls at right angles to the curtain or window.

The rods G are made of sufiicient length, and the screw-threaded portions 0 vare made of sufficient length, so that a material adjustment may be made by simply cutting off the end of the rods G and screwing the heads farther into the curtain-rods D.

The meansfor retracting the rods G are of such character as to be actuated by the most careless and indifferent operator. Fixtures ofthis character, as is well known, are most commonly used in railway-cars, and are seized hurriedly and carelessly-by the occupants of the car. It is of the greatest importance, therefore, to have a device which will operate no matter how seized. It is impossible to grasp this device without retracting the rods, and thus relieving the friction between the head and the window-casing and allowing easy movement of the curtain. The entire structure itself aids in this purpose, for it is almost impossible to seize the curtain-rod at any point without pressing it laterally, and thus forcing inwardly the pivoted portions E, relieving the friction. A person about to operate the curtain would naturally grasp at the device in the center, and no'matter how he grasps the device of this invention it is sure to effect its purpose, which is not true of most of the devices now in general use. It is obvious that the handhold device which forms a portion of this invention is adapted for use with any form of a curtain-fixture where a longitudinal movement of a rod is necessary.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. A curtain-holding device comprising a rod, heads comprising side portions attached at each end to said rod, one of the side portions of each head being pivoted and thus movable with respect to the other side portion, a spring acting to separate said side portions, whereby the side walls of the grooves in the window-casing may be gripped by said heads.

2. A curtain-holding device comprising a rod, heads comprising side portions attached at each end of said rod and longitudinally adj ustable with respect to said rod, one of the side portions of each head being pivoted and thus movable with respect to the other side portion, a spring acting to separate said side portions, whereby the side walls of the grooves in the window-casing may be gripped by said heads.

3. A curtain-holding device comprising a rod, heads comprising side portions attached at each end to said rod, one of the side portions of each head being pivoted and thus movable with respect to the other side portion, a spring acting to separate said side portions, whereby the side walls of the grooves in the window-casing may be gripped by said heads, antifriction devices projectinglaterally from said heads, and adapted to come into engagement with the end walls of the grooves in the window-casing when the curtain-rod is tipped.

4. A curtain-holding device comprising a hollow rod, heads attached to each end of said rod, each head having a pivoted side portion, longitudinally-movable spring-actuated rods located in said curtain rod, and pressing against said pivoted portions.

5. A curtain-holding device comprising a hollow rod, heads attached to each end of said rod, each head having a pivoted side portion, longitudinally-movablc spring-actuated rods located in said curtain rod, and pressing against said pivoted portions, and means for retracting said rods.

6. A curtain-holding device comprising a hollow rod, heads attached to each end of said rod, each head having a pivoted side portion, longitudinallymovable spring-actuated rods located in said curtain rod, and pressing against said pivoted portions, a handhold mounted to slide transversely to the curtainrod, and provided with means for retracting said rods.

'7. A curtain-holding device comprising a hollow rod, heads attached to each end of said rod, each head having a pivoted side portion, longitudinally-movable spring-actuated rods located in said curtain-rod and pressing against said pivoted portions, a handhold mounted to slide transversely in the curtain-rod and provided with oppositely-inclined projections acting against said rods whereby they may be retracted.

8. A curtain-holding device comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads mounted at each end thereof, means for pressing said heads against the window-casing, comprising spring-actuated rods mounted in said curtain-rod, a handhold arranged to slide horizontally and transversely to the curtain-rod and provided with means for retracting said rods whereby a grasp of or pressure upon the handhold in the natural horizontal direction causes the ready actuation of the curtain-holding device.

9. A curtain-holding device comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads mounted at each end thereof, means for pressing said heads against the window-casing, comprising spring-actuated rods mounted in said curtain-rod, a handhold arrangcd to slide transversely to the curtain-rod and provided with oppositely-inclined projections acting against said rods whereby they may be retracted.

10. A curtain-holding device comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads mounted at each end thereof, means for pressing said heads against the window-casing, comprising spring-actuated rods mounted in said curtain-rod, end pieces secured to said rods, a handhold mounted to slide transversely in said curtain-rod and provided with oppositely-inclined projections acting upon said end pieces whereby said rods may be retracted.

11. A curtain-holding device comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads mounted at each end thereof, means for pressing said heads against the window-casing, comprising spring-actuated rods mounted in said curtain-rod, end pieces secured to said rods and provided with antifriction-rollers, a handhold provided with oppositely-inclined projections acting upon said antifriction rolls in said end pieces, whereby said rolls may be retracted.

12. A curtain-holding device comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads mounted at each end thereof, means for pressing said heads against the window-casing, comprising spring-actuated rods mounted in said curtain-rod, ahandhold mounted to slide transversely in said curtain-rod, and provided with oppositely-inclined projections cooperating with said spring-actuated rods, whereby said rods may be retracted upon transverse movement of the handhold.

13. A curtain-holding device comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads mounted at each end thereof, means for pressing said heads against the windowcasing, comprising 'spring-actu ated rods mounted in said curtain-rod, end pieces secured to said rods, a'handhold comprising two parts mounted to slide oppositely and transversely in said curtain-rod and provided with oppositely inclined projections acting upon said end pieces whereby said rods may be retracted.

14. A head for ashade-holding fixture adapted for cooperation with the side walls of the grooves in a window-casing, having one ofits side walls pivoted with respect to the other side wall.

15. A head for a shade holding fixture adapted for cooperation with the side walls of thegrooves in a window-casing, having elon;

gatedside walls, one of said Walls being piv-' oted with respect to the other side Wall.

16. A head for a shade holding fixture adapted for cooperation with the side walls of the grooves in a window-casing, having elon-' gated side walls one of which is immovable with respect to the head and the other of which is pivoted.

17-. A head for a shade holding fixture adapted for cooperation with the side walls of the grooves in a window-casing, having elongated side walls, one of which is immovable with respect to the head, and the other of which is pivoted upon an axis parallel to the length of the head. i

18. A head for a shade holding fixture adapted for cooperation with the side Walls of the grooves in a Window-casing, having elongated side walls, one of said side walls having a pivoted portion, antifriction-rolls mounted transversely and exteriorly to said head at the ends thereof.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name FRANK B. HOPEWVELL.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. GREGORY, NATHAN HEARD. 

